Apparatus for displaying floor coverings



May 8, 1962 F. 0. FOX

APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING FLOOR COVERINGS Filed June 8, 1960 X fWR TD 0 Y m w m E L .N OWM mA/ R I 5 O F. Col T M W T E A GD RA 0 E G V.. .8 O B O m 2 I 3 O 2 l 6 M 2 t z 2 J 2 f F L A Q Patented May 8, 1962 son, Tulsa, Okla.

Filed June 8, 1960, Ser. No. 34,838 2 Claims. (Cl. 211-45) This invention refers to apparatus for displaying floor coverings. More particularly it relates to a portable apparatus useful in show rooms and the like for displaying rug, carpet, tile or linoleum samples.

Floor coverings as presently available come in a variety of colors, textures, material, weaves and style. In many instances a prospective customer has difiiculty in visualizing the proper interior color combination for his particular room arrangement while he is in the showroom. Display devices heretofore used in the carpet industry have primarily consisted of a multiplicity of samples bolted or held at one end with the samples flipped like the pages of a chart. Such a display in many instances merely confuses the customer and prevents him from obtaining a simulated picture of what such carpeting will look like in the proposed surroundings.

Accordingly, it becomes a primary object of this invention to provide an apparatus for displaying floor covering samples at a remote location or showroom which simulates the conditions of the proposed room floor to be covered.

It is another object of this invention to provide an apparatus which permits a variety of room color combinations which can be readily set up for use in accordance with this invention.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus which is portable, easily used, economical and can be stored out of the way when not in use.

A particular object of this invention is to provide an apparatus which displays carpet samples in a simulated wall-to-wall construction in order that a prospective buyer may gain the full idea of what such carpeting will be like for the proposed room and color arrangement.

A further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for displaying floor covering with respect to the vertical room molding, wall and drapery colors.

These and other objects will become more apparent on further reading of the description and claims when taken in conjunction with the following illustrations of which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a partial sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a top partial elevational view describing the hinged molding as used with this invention.

Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, the numeral represents a parallelepiped base frame, usually of rectangular shape, upon which a finished flooring, such as the wood tongue and groove type as shown is attached to the upper part forming the top surface area. Although it is not shown it is to be understood that other types of finished flooring such as wooden block, vinyl or rubber tile, linoleum, or the like, may be used. In some instances the finished flooring is not necessary, that is, when base frame 10 is a one piece material such as plywood and the like. In the embodiment described, rollers or castors 14 of a well known type are adapted to the frame for manuverability of the display apparatus as desired. The frame may be permanently fixed, however.

Alignment strips 16 are securely attached to the finished floor 12 along two perpendicular edges thereof and provide a support for removable base molding 18 which is articulately folded at the corner using a well known hinge means 20. The hinge 20 permits the two base molding portions 18 to be folded back to back and stored without taking up a great deal of space or being cumbersome to move about. Attached to the inside of molding 18 is extension molding 22 typically a quarter round type as best seen in FIGURE 2. As shown, this extension molding is positioned on the inside of base molding 18 in such a manner that there is sufiicient clearance from the finished floor when base molding 18 is properly aligned therewith and respect to member 16, such that the carpet or flooring sample may be easily positioned thereunder and hence provide the simulated wall-to-wall construction. In one type of unit construction molding 22 is formed as an integral part of base molding 18. Additionally, a variety of shapes and configurations for the base molding 18 and/ or molding 22 may be used to achieve the desired results. Likewise alignment strip 16 may be preformed to a unit construction with the molding, or in some instances be unnecessary altogether.

As best described in 'FIGURE 2, a multiplicity of openings 26 are provided in the finish or base flooring substantially adjacent to and in alignment with member 16 along the inside thereof. These openings are adapted to receive pin members 28, a multiplicity of which are affixed to base molding 18 in order to rigidly align said molding and retain it during use. Such construction permits the ready removal and replacement of molding having a different color or finish in accordance with the customers prospective color conditions.

An additional embodiment to this invention includes the use of vertical extension rack 30 upon which drapery materials are attached or draped. This provides an even further display effect to the customer. The versatility of the apparatus is even further enhanced by a simulated Wall effect in which wall paper or painted surfaces are provided to extend vertically from the base of the apparatus. This provides additional sales aid to interior decorators, wall and window covering outlets in addition to floor covering outlets. 'In many instances all three items are sold by the same proprietor.

Handle 32 as shown in FIGURE 1 is affixed to base 10 to provide a means of carrying the apparatus of this invention.

Although the apparatus of this invention has been described in relation to a particular apparatus and struc- .ture, it will be apparent, however, that various alternate embodiments and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, this invention should be considered not to be limited to the embodiment herein described, but should be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed:

1. Apparatus for displaying floor covering samples comprising a rectangular parallelpiped base member including a relatively large top surface area, base molding removably positioned along two perpendicular edges to form a corner with said top area, said molding pivotally connected at said corner, extension molding attached to the inside of said base molding and extending substantially parallel above said top area to permit insertion of said floor sample thereunder, a rack attached to said member outside said base molding and extending substantially above said base molding for attaching drapery material and the like.

2. Apparatus for displaying carpet samples comprising a rectangular relatively horizontal base frame, rollers on the underside corners of said frame, a finished floor attached to the upper side of said frame, an alignment member extending along two perpendicular edges of and attached to said floor, alignment openings in said floor parallel and adjacent the inside edge of said member, a removable base molding positioned adjacent said member and hinged to form a corner, said molding having pins inserted in said openings and extension molding attached to said base molding along the inside portion and extending above said floor to permit insertion of said carpet sample thereunder.

References Qited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

